Isokinetic Assessment of the Wrist Muscles in Females With Fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate wrist muscle strength and muscle fatigue in females with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and compare the results with those of healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive female FMS patients (mean age 39.8±6.7 years; range 25 to 49 years) and 50 age and body mass index similar healthy females (mean age 35.4±7.9 years; range 27 to 48 years) were enrolled. Patients' clinical characteristics were recorded and symptoms were evaluated by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. In addition to the demographic characteristics, physical activities of all subjects were questioned, isokinetic muscle performance was measured, and fatigue index was calculated by endurance test. RESULTS: The peak torque values of the wrist extensor and flexor muscles (at an angular velocity of 90°/second) were higher in the control group than in the FMS group (both p<0.01). There were no differences between the groups in terms of the fatigue indexes of the flexor and extensor muscles of the wrist (both p>0.05). While there were differences between the groups regarding weekly hours of walking (p=0.01) and house cleaning (p<0.001), no differences were determined for weekly hours of bicycling, gardening, doing sports, or total physical activity. There was no correlation between the peak torque values and clinical characteristics in FMS group. CONCLUSION: Patients with FMS had decreased muscle strength compared to healthy controls. Further studies with larger participants are needed to explain the relationship between upper limb muscle performance and FMS, as well as the underlying pathogenesis.

Can the ductus venosus doppler predict the hemoglobinopathies?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the ductus venosus doppler between 11-13+6 (week-day) in pregnant women with hemoglobinopaties and its relation with fetal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 pregnant women with hemoglobinopathies and 100 healthy pregnant women were included in our study. Ultrasonography (USG) was performed to all pregnant women and the ductus venosus doppler (DVD) flows were evaluated. The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean hemoglobin level was significantly lower in hemoglobinopathy group (9.7 ± 0.7) than control group (10.67 ± 0.82) (P<0.001). There was a significant relationship between Vmax, Vmin, S/D and reverse 'a' wave in fetuses with hemoglobinopathies. Vmax, Vmin and S/D parameters were higher in the group of hemoglobinopathies (respectively mean value, 31.3 ± 1.66, 8.90 ± 0.81, 2.97 ± 0.49). Reverse 'a' wave was detected especially in all fetuses with sickle cell anemia. There was no significantly relationship between the groups in terms of PI, RI and HR. In a logistic regression analyses, fetal hemoglobinopathy was independently associated with Vmin (ß = 1.07, P = 0.001), S/D (ß = 2.61, P = 0.001) and reverse 'a' wave (ß = 2.46, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with hemoglobinopathies had changed ductus venosus doppler values in compared to normal pregnant women. Maternal anemia may cause this doppler changes. Furthermore all fetuses with sickle cell anemia (n = 5) had abnormal ductus venosus doppler findings. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between abnormal ductus venosus doppler findings and fetuses diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.